Chinertown
Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: Livingmannequin on June 05, 2025, 01:58:35 PM
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Hey,
I'm in dire need of a new road bike as I haven't had one in a few years and while researching what to get I came to the conclusion to get a chiner. Sadly I'm on a tight budget as I'm a uni student and dont have alot of disposable income, 1k€ to be exact.
I have searched around on this forum and gone through a few youtube videos but wasn't realy able to find a (current) ~1k build, so in hopes of finding some people who have recently done a build around that price point or atleast can give some directions on good CHEAP frames, wheelsets etc. I decided to stop lurking. Else I will probably just get the TT-X40 Full Build from Seraph Store.
Thanks in advance!
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Well, you can get a full bike from Decathlon starting from half your budget, so you actually have quite some choice.
If you instead want to go the self-built path, I recently built my first bike - it's a gravel frame but you can find something more road-oriented (eg. Ceccotti RF27) for a similar price.
My build was under 1400€ but there are some areas where you can shave something off:
For sure crankset and cassette are a bit above the average bike that I have, but I wanted to get some extra lightness
Saddle you should be able to find something cheaper just for a few grams more
Groupset can go down from 105 11s
Wheels you can get some in aluminium
You could also save something in the cables and cable housing, but it would be advisable to go with external routing at least around the stem area to avoid shifting an breaking issues
Frame + fork + bottom bracket Ceccotti RF25 size L 396,48 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008208274231.html
Seatpost Toseek 15,19 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005286211545.html
Saddle Ryet Aircode 42,58 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005209973776.html
Stem Kocevlo 80 mm 17,41 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007557399904.html
Handlebar Og-Evkin HB-010 400 mm 26,09 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005944474195.html
Bartape Og-Evkin BT-001-BLACK 4,81 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005644811837.html
Shifters + derailleurs Shimano 105 R7000 11 114,90 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007002474089.html
Crankset + chainrings Riro XX11 RD 50-34 113,66 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006481196419.html
Pedals (planned) Zeray ZP-108S 21,45 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006295887679.html
Cassette Goldix SL CNC 11-32 63,70 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006472254930.html
Chain Decathlon (KMC) X11 19,99 € https://www.decathlon.it/p/catena-bici-11-velocita/_/R-p-300692
Brakes Onirii BR-05 41,31 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006979553014.html
Brake pads Kingstop 4,89 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1963687894.html
Rotors SRAM (maybe) bronze 160 mm 16,00 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005051281201.html
Shift cables (inner+outer) Jagwire PCK500 25,04 € https://www.amazon.it/dp/B077F9ZMKF
Brake cables (inner+outer) Jagwire PCK200 22,99 € https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B01MZ5WP6E/
Antirattle foam generic 3,48 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007235167191.html
Bottle cages Riderace 2,29 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005004883648081.html
Wheels Elitewheels ENT 38 mm 366,87 € https://elitewheels.aliexpress.com/store/1859081
Tubes Thinkrider TPU 10,59 € https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005361851622.html
Tires Continental Ultrasport III 28 mm 50,56 € https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B0BBZ93F8V/
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It really depends on what you want to have, what you can skip and what you can tolerate... and for what purpose. Racing, group rides, leisure? Are you fine with alloy frame/wheels? Are you fine with mechanical rim brakes or want hydraulics?
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for your budget id start with marketplace and check for a caad12 or something along those lines.
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Well, you can get a full bike from Decathlon starting from half your budget, so you actually have quite some choice.
If you instead want to go the self-built path, I recently built my first bike - it's a gravel frame but you can find something more road-oriented (eg. Ceccotti RF27) for a similar price.
My build was under 1400€ but there are some areas where you can shave something off:
For sure crankset and cassette are a bit above the average bike that I have, but I wanted to get some extra lightness
Saddle you should be able to find something cheaper just for a few grams more
Groupset can go down from 105 11s
Wheels you can get some in aluminium
You could also save something in the cables and cable housing, but it would be advisable to go with external routing at least around the stem area to avoid shifting an breaking issues
Thank you so much! Will definitely dig into it, as I could get a few parts for free so it‘s definitely realistic now to get below 1k :D
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I can tolerate a few things as it‘s mostly for leisure training activitys and maybe 1-2 races a year.An Alloy frame and wheels would be fine as long as I‘m able to keep the build sub 10kg but I can‘t go with mechanical discs or rim brakes as I just can‘t stand them anymore.
Getting a used bike is also out of the question as I don‘t want to face issues caused by previous owners bad maintenance or general fatigued material due to age and use, else I would have done that.
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I can tolerate a few things as it‘s mostly for leisure training activitys and maybe 1-2 races a year.An Alloy frame and wheels would be fine as long as I‘m able to keep the build sub 10kg but I can‘t go with mechanical discs or rim brakes as I just can‘t stand them anymore.
Getting a used bike is also out of the question as I don‘t want to face issues caused by previous owners bad maintenance or general fatigued material due to age and use, else I would have done that.
at that budget you'll have to make significant sacrifice on major components to fit under the budget just food for thoughts.
I would not ride the cheapest carbon frame available just to ride something new and under my budget same goes for wheels/handlebars/etc.
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I can tolerate a few things as it‘s mostly for leisure training activitys and maybe 1-2 races a year.An Alloy frame and wheels would be fine as long as I‘m able to keep the build sub 10kg but I can‘t go with mechanical discs or rim brakes as I just can‘t stand them anymore.
Getting a used bike is also out of the question as I don‘t want to face issues caused by previous owners bad maintenance or general fatigued material due to age and use, else I would have done that.
Frameset, there was a thread somewhere on the forum regarding this frame. I suggest to check it out and ask about details and quality of accesories: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008991692266.html including fork, axles, BB, headset, some handlebar
~400$
Groupset: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006449025000.html
~200$ Get 2x12
Chain: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003489164453.html
~45$ buy silver if you are planning to wax, if it's too expensive or not waxing, get YBN one level below
Chainset: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1000006338700.html
~80$ I strongly suggest to buy separate spider and chainrings from Stone or Pass Quest. Else, look for used 105 chainset with the crank length you need (don't buy 175 simply because they are easy t get)
Casette: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006343081906.html
45$
Bar tape: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000192578780.html
12$
Rotors Cnock-offs of Sram's: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005933139495.html
12$
Wheels: whatever you can find on the aftermarket. I wouldn't trust Chinese alloy wheels and you can get stock wheels from some Giants PR-2s for very cheap, look for tubeless compatible
~100$
Tyres: don't buy shit, spend some money on GP5000S/AS or Pirellis PZero TLR/TLR RS, buy wider ones
~120$
That will put you at 1014$. Everything except the group and the frameset in the list above I tested myself and the quality is way above the budget build (of course you may go cheaper). You may consider buying frameset without accessories but then it may be a bit more expensive. If you can negotiate modern bar/stem and you know what are the needed dimension I suggest to go for frame set+accessories option.
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Thanks guys for all the input! Decided to build a bike as I can get quite a few things for free/cheap from my dads leftover stuff. Will ofc keep you guys updated.
Frame: haven't decided on one yet, will most likely either be a TanTan or Ceccotti one
Things I ordered:
137€ Groupset: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006449025000.html
1€ TPU Tubes: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005361851622.html
22€ Pedals: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32246052671.html
Things I luckily don't have to worry about (might upgrade depending if I like it or not):
DuraAce Crank
Seat
Discs
Bar tape
Stem
Handlebar
Things I can get for cheap:
250€ DT Siwisss E-1800 Wheelset + Cassette + Tires (will be decent ones)
Depending on if the frames comes with a seatpost or not I'm in for 410€ + frame. So I might be able to build a decent bike for sub 900€
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My Ceccotti came with the seatpost (round, 27.2mm). I moved the one I had in my previous bike so I already had the saddle on it but that money wasn't really needed in the overall cost
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Just in case TanTan offers TT-R18 full bike with mechanical 105 groupset for only 899 USD
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if you have the parts then it’s doable.
I managed to get a full carbon build for under 1k for a client (challenge), all parts new and a very decent frame paintjob and carbon wheels with ltwoo hydraulic. So its possible.
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Just in case TanTan offers TT-R18 full bike with mechanical 105 groupset for only 899 USD
Shipping + VAT puts it at around 1300 EUR price tag.
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Exactly, apart from that I can‘t stand the look of the TT-X18 :-\ Will probably go with the Ceccotti C27 as I can get it for sub 500 incl shipping + taxes. Won‘t pull the trigger before gettong a quote from long teng for the 268.
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Exactly, apart from that I can‘t stand the look of the TT-X18 :-\ Will probably go with the Ceccotti C27 as I can get it for sub 500 incl shipping + taxes. Won‘t pull the trigger before gettong a quote from long teng for the 268.
cecotti is a nice one if it fits your needs in terms of geometry, look and colour options. not the best finish but u get what you pay for
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Hum not really 1300€ for the TT-R18
1050$ with DPD shipping no additional tax
1050$ is 920€ = impossible to beat
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Geometry looks good to me as it‘s somewhat close to my dads Stevens Arcalis which I really like. Finish doesn‘t bother me too much as long as there aren‘t any major flaws so I think Ceccotti will do the job just fine.
I‘m also kinda thinking about going with an alloy frame as the C27 is kinda heavy for a carbon one but I can‘t find anything locally that I like and I kinda don‘t want to bother/search for good and cheap chiner ones so I guess it‘s already decided
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If you can just wait 8-10 days when AliX should have a new round of discounts and coupons
I bought from Surprised Store, the more coins you have the better
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If you can just wait 8-10 days when AliX should have a new round of discounts and coupons
I bought from Surprised Store, the more coins you have the better
Link to this store you mentioned? I can’t find it.
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this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2970059
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this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2970059
Much thanks!!
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If you can just wait 8-10 days when AliX should have a new round of discounts and coupons
I bought from Surprised Store, the more coins you have the better
yeah I‘ll definitely wait till the next round of discounts but will probably get it from ceccotti store as tax is included there. unless someone has truly negative experience shopping there
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The build is now finished! (Has been for a few month ::) ) Price was ~800€ for the initial build but as it has been upgraded since then it now stands at around 1400€, which I would still consider very budget (especialy as no other upgrades are planned and I would rather build a second/third bike but more on that later ;) ).
Now to the build:
- As a framset I used the Ceccotti RF32 (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EyM0VWw) which I bought from Sequel Bike Store. Easy communication regarding the color and stem (that is wrapped in the fake Supacaz Tape, very nice quality for the price) variant I wanted and after around 3 weeks I received the frame. Finish and paint are very nice, all surfaces that need to have been reamed and the layup looks very clean, atleast everywhere I can see without an endoscope. Only down side is, that I received the wrong seatpost clamp and cover but after contacting the seller I quickly got send the correct one. Overall I'm very happy with the frame as I really dig the design and the geo suits me perfectly!
- The wheelset I got initially are these Koozer CX1800 (https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004760210247.html) alloy wheels which are very cheap but also somewhat heavy. Apart from that, they have been very good, even spoke ;D) and haven't gone out of centre even though I hit a few potholes rather hard... A few weeks ago I decided to upgrade to a pair of Tagoola Cure R24 (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ewad1hC) in the standard weight which I'm absolutely in love with! The bearings need some extra grease but apart from that they've been aweswome thus far ;D
- Until a few days ago I used the LTwoo R9 (couldnt embed links past this point :( ) which is probably one of the better budget groupsets I have used, even running these very cheap (and very heavy) Goldix Casette with a KMC x11 Chain. Now I'm running the LTwoo eR9 with what I have mostly had problems with, apart from the assembly, as seen in the eR9/eRX topic... Haven't given up on it yet, but I have postponed the plan to sell my R9 as I will keep it as a backup until proven unnecessary :-X
- The Cranks I'm using are the ZRACE Unchained and they are great! Finish is just aweswome and combined with chainrings and the Onirii PD-06 pedals it weighs just 735g! The pedals come with a very nice feeling pair of cleats, which is rather unusal for the pricepoint (which is incredible in it's own way as the quality of the pedals is astonishing). While on the topic of power train I would like to mention the Sidebike S17, with which I've had no problems thus far. Best thing about them, apart from the stiffnes, is that they accomodate my wide (and very flat) feet very well without having to size up!
- Brake discs are the Meroca XR and they work great, where sliightly warped when I got them but after the first longer ride they run true.
- As a saddle I used a cheap carbon slab but am now waiting for a RYET RT06 to arrive as I have amped up the distances I ride and past 80km it just hurt too bad... (who could have guessed ::) )
As mentioned the current set up (seen below (still with a halfway mounted R9), might take pictures outside sometime soon) cost ~1400€ and weighs in at 7,6kg bottle cages and pedals included which I think are pretty decent numbers. We'll see how it goes regarding longevity and the eR9 but I'm optimistic ;D
Now that this build has finished I'm building up a fixie for the city using the Intro7 FS-01GT as a base. If any of you have any experience with fixie stuff on ali, especially regarding wheels with track hubs and 32mm wide >=50mm deep carbon rims I would really appreciate some input! Once that's done I would love to build up a Gascycle 02 gravel bike but that probably won't happen until the end of this/start of next year, as that'll also be a sub 1/1,5k build some recs reagrding budget gravel wheels that are 40-50mm deep and ~40mm wide would be aweswome! I will however create another topic for that once the time comes anyway.
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Beautiful build, and definitely super cheap. The only thing that feels strange to me is the weight, but I guess I have to get used to these numbers now. With Chinese products it’s becoming easier and easier to reach “featherweight” builds.
As for the wheels, if you want to lower the weight a bit, I’d suggest taking a look at Kore wheels https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005010280328183.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2J27TG5). You might be able to shave off a little more weight.
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Beautiful build, and definitely super cheap. The only thing that feels strange to me is the weight, but I guess I have to get used to these numbers now. With Chinese products it’s becoming easier and easier to reach “featherweight” builds.
As for the wheels, if you want to lower the weight a bit, I’d suggest taking a look at Kore wheels https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005010280328183.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2J27TG5). You might be able to shave off a little more weight.
Weighed everything when I had it apart a few days ago when mounting the eR9, so I might have miscalculated, once it‘s running again I will take it to a shop and have it weighed as I‘m rather curious myself. 1,6kg for frame, fork and seatpost, 300g cockpit, 1,4kg wheels, 1,2kg group, 735g crankset, 430g casette, 250g chain, 500g tires, 70g tubes, 240g rotors comes in at 6,8kg which leves plenty of room for the bits and bobs i couldn‘t remember the rough weight of, so imo it‘s a pretty realistic weight. Will update once I have it weighed tho!
Was really considering the Kore wheels but as I weigh 82kg and plan on doing some bike packing I didn‘t want to risk pushing the max weight too hard and the 130kg of the Tagoola ones made more sense to me. Also I got them for 290€ incl. shipping and duty :D
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Very nice build and I thick you hit the sweet spot.
Do you know if they sell on request also handlebars with longer stems than 100 mm?
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Very nice build and I thick you hit the sweet spot.
Do you know if they sell on request also handlebars with longer stems than 100 mm?
Thanks!
Yes they sell up to 120mm :)
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It's curious because I built a very similar one to you last year for me:)
I managed to keep the budget on 999€ for everything including pedals and shipping. And I love it. Honestly it's super confortable and lightweight.
I did some compromises like I preferred to have it painted than to have a "lighter" crank.
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Looks so good! If I had stayed with the R9 it would have been sub 1k as well :)
This frame just looks so good, sometimes I wish to have also chosen the pinkish pearlecent but the purple that mine has by daylight I'm also very happy with!
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A few weeks ago I decided to upgrade to a pair of Tagoola Cure R24 (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ewad1hC) in the standard weight which I'm absolutely in love with! The bearings need some extra grease but apart from that they've been aweswome thus far ;D
Hey mate how has the wheels been doing? I've been thinking of getting a pair too, has the spokes been working well? still trued even after the settling in period? Would you recommend it?
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Hey mate how has the wheels been doing? I've been thinking of getting a pair too, has the spokes been working well? still trued even after the settling in period? Would you recommend it?
Yeah still runs very true even after hitting 2 pretty big potholes :D
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It's curious because I built a very similar one to you last year for me:)
I managed to keep the budget on 999€ for everything including pedals and shipping. And I love it. Honestly it's super confortable and lightweight.
I did some compromises like I preferred to have it painted than to have a "lighter" crank.
Very well done, did you post a detailed break down of your build on this forum? Would love to see what you bought and where the money went.